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Fire Investigation Related to the New 'Smart Meters"
I am looking for any information on smart meters as it relates to fire cause. We have had an increase of electrical fires in at least one county in the area of Alabama that I live. I have worked several of these fires so I do believe that there is some type of problem. I have read about similar problems in other areas of the country but I dont have a good understanding of RF technology and the change in harmonics being placed on the electrical system. If anyone knows of a good source of information, please let me know. Thank You.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Averyl on
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I am also seeking information! Smart meters are being installed in my area and I have been researching any related fire risks, especially on homes with old wiring since there seems to be a connection.
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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Smart meters are an electrical device, just like any other. In theory they are tested by UL so they should be safe, but that's not to say a manufacturing defect or something could make them dangerous. From my experience, meters are usually mounted on the exterior of the house, away from any fuel, so it should be at least a little harder for them to set the house on fire.
Regarding their RF, all of the ones I've worked with are FCC part 15 devices, meaning the radio has a power of 1 watt. That shouldn't be too dangerous.
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Hi, Vic. It's interesting that you bring up UL, because many smart meters are not UL listed. I visited the UL site and searched the database. I also checked a few websites of manufacturers. I could be wrong but I'm still researching this.
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Permalink Reply by DUST on
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Check out this website for an advocacy group that is against smart meters, there is information on fires linked to the meters.
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?page_id=872
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Permalink Reply by pr8hdff pr8hdff on
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I read something on the internet that was talking about the way the meters work, that it is somewhat like have a two way radio on the house. It said that there was a problem with the "harmonics" in the normal wiring that is being upset by the meters and that it was not the meter so much catching fire but causing a fire if there was any tiny weakness in the electrical system. I believe it was the website that DUST is talking about.
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I'm not sure who will test and approve them in the US, I can only comment on Australia. I took a punt that it would be UL, since they seem to do a lot of that sort of thing.
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Vic, UL does have a smart meter certification program, it just seems that not many smart meters are yet listed. So far the meters I have seen mention ANSI and FCC but I've yet to see anything beyond that.
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I've had a pass through this site (admittedly a quick one) and all of their data is anecdotal. I'd love to see an actual study on increased fire danger in smart meters, anecdotal evidence doesn't really do it.
Smart Metering security is a big part of my day job, and this field is growing every day. There are very valid concerns with smart metering, primarily regarding security and privacy, but I don't have the space to go into it here.
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Permalink Reply by MeterMan on
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I’m currently researching these dangerous meters. The US Department of Energy is spending billions to install these meters, but they don't care about the homes that are burning.
Here’s an actual meter fire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5yie2gFhmE
US court describes “corona discharge” in which meters can “potentially cause a fire”
http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1966039804553725949&...
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This is incredible information, Meter Man. Thank you!
As for the video, do you know if that was a smart meter?
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You're blameing capacitors? Do you realise there are capacitors in almost every device in your house? The ones in your television hold enough juice to stop your heart!
Look I have no doubt that (like any electronic device) manufacturing or installation defects, not to mention tampering or damaged units could create a hazardous condition. Factor in millions of them installed around the world, you are bound to have a few incidents, maybe even a few tragedies. Hardly indicative that a technology is "dangerous."
This is ill-informed fear mongering to say the least.
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